BY BELLA MIDDLETON
An endangered bird species has been found breeding in the Hunter region for the first time in over 2 years.
The Hunter Bird Observers Club spotted two adult Black-Necked storks attending to their fledglings in August.
The Black-Necked stork is the only species of stork found in Australia and is rarely spotted outside of northern parts of the country due to lack of adequate swampland.
Hunter Bird Observer Club member Ann Lindsey said the breeding is a very exciting event.
"In August of this year, HBOC became aware that two adult storks were attending to a nest in Hexham Swamp. Over the following weeks it was established that there were two chicks in the nest and in October they were big enough to be banded," Ms Lindsay said.
"This week HBOC members observed that the adults took the young fledglings from the nest to trees not too far away. This is only the third confirmed breeding event in the lower Hunter Estuary, the others being in 2017 and 2018 in Tomago."
"The more biodiversity you have in an area, the better it is for human health. If there are more animals and insects in an area, it's better for us."
The Black-Necked stork is more commonly found in the Northern Territory where it is also known as the Jabiru. They stand 1.3 metres tall with a wing span of up to 2 metres. The head and neck are black with an iridescent green and purple sheen.
HBOC vice president Mick Roderick said that the floodplain wetlands and the vast 2000 hectare Hexham Swamp are ideal circumstances for the species.
The Hexham Swamp has been transformed over the past 10 years into a mosaic of valuable habitat types, including open water, estuarine wetland, saltmarsh and mudflats.
"The project re-instated tidal inundation into Ironbark Creek by opening the floodgates in stages to improve the water quality and restore a plentiful supply of the storks' favourite food source - eels. The storks also feed on fish, frogs and insects." said Mr. Roderick.
"The NSW breeding population has been estimated at only 75 pairs, so this is very significant for the endangered storks to be breeding here in the lower Hunter wetlands. HBOC will continue to monitor the family."
 |
| Two Black-Necked Storks and their chicks. Image Credit: Wildlife Habitat. |
